before, we do remain concerned. our analysts remain concerned that kim jong-un is not hearing the full story, that those around him aren t providing nuance aren t suggesting to him the tenuous nature of this position both internationally and domestdomestically, the bre with china, the connection between the united states and the republic of north korea. we re not at all certain that the leaders around him are sharing that information in a way that is accurate, complete and full. in a recent washington post op-ed, victor shah, recently under consideration to be united states ambassador to south korea, warned of the dangers of a preventive united states military strike against north korea. he cautioned that such a strike would not halt north korea s nuclear weapons program and could spark an uncontrolled conflict in the region that could kill hundreds of thousands of americans.